PhD student position in falling film evaporation

We are going to study numerically a truly multiscale and complex problem of nucleation and deposition of crystals on heat-transfer surfaces in falling film evaporators. Scaling in evaporators is a major problem for chemical recycling in kraft pulp mills. For many mills, disruptions in evaporation are a dominant cause of production losses and reduction of the plant energy efficiency and availability, aspects of fundamental importance for future biorefineries. By understanding of how different operating conditions and process changes affect the performance of an evaporation plant, it is possible to develop strategies for controlling the scaling rate and maintaining a high plant efficiency, and consequently to reduce the risk of sudden production losses. For future biorefineries, it is important that the evaporation plant is both efficient and reliable, as the pulp mill's steam production will decrease when an increased proportion of the wood raw material is taken out as product streams in a biobased economy.

Information about the project
The aim of the project is to understand and numerically model the physical mechanisms behind the heat transfer and scaling rate in evaporation plants under different operating conditions and process changes in order to maintain a higher and more robust evaporation capacity of the mills. The heat transfer and scaling rates dependence on temperature, dry solids and salt content will be investigated. The project will provide clear recommendations and measures for the industry on predicting and avoiding scaling in black liquid evaporators.

The research will be conducted within the network "Resurssmarta processer" ("Resource efficient processes") that involves several academic and industrial partners and that will provide close collaboration, knowledge exchange and methodology support. Supervision of the PhD student will be provided through Chalmers (main supervisor), but also from industrial partners from Södra, Stora Enso, SCA, BillerudKorsnäs, Valmet and Holmen.

The PhD students within the network will be enrolled in a research school specially designed to provide knowledge and competence essential for future resource efficient technologies.

The position also includes teaching or other departmental duties corresponding to 10-20 % of working hours and is time limited up to 4.5-5 years depending on the amount of teaching and departmental work during your doctoral project.

Major responsibilities
Your major responsibilities as a PhD student is to pursue your own doctoral studies. You are expected to develop your own scientific concepts and communicate the results of your research verbally and in writing. Your research will be supervised by several well-reputed senior researchers and experts from industry, offering a supportive environment for performing cutting-edge research. The position generally also includes teaching in undergraduate level courses.

Qualifications
To qualify as a PhD student, you must have a MSc degree in a relevant field. The position requires sound verbal and written communication skills in Swedish and English. If Swedish is not your native language, you should be able to teach in Swedish after two years. Chalmers offers Swedish courses.

You are self-propelled and highly motivated, and you plan and think strategically. You are creative and like to put new ideas into practice. You have a solid interest in scientific computing and a strong natural curiosity with a genuine wish to learn more and develop your skills and knowledge further in the fields of research, research communication and project management.

We offer
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20220602 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as PDF-files, as below. Maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support Zip files.

CV: (Please name the document: CV, Family name, Ref. number)
• CV
• Other, for example previous employments or leadership qualifications and positions of trust.
• Two references that we can contact.

Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)
1-3 pages where you:
• Introduce yourself
• Describe your previous experience of relevance for the position (e.g. education, thesis work and, if applicable, any other research activities)
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

Other documents:
• Copies of bachelor and/or master’s thesis.
• Attested copies and transcripts of completed education, grades and other certificates, e.g. TOEFL test results.

Please use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form. 

Application deadline: December 21st, 2022

For questions, please contact:
Professor Srdjan Sasic, Fluid Dynamics, srdjan@chalmers.se,
Tel: +46317725238

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. *** 
   



Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our six Areas of Advance; Energy, Health Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Materials Science, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!